…..Closed-door meeting to hold in Abuja this weekend
In a bid to strengthen opposition forces ahead of the 2027 presidential election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reportedly approached General Aliyu Gusau to help unify northern political leaders around a proposed coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Sources disclosed that Atiku met privately with Gusau, a respected former National Security Adviser, urging him to persuade key northern figures including former Senate President David Mark, ex-Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, and former Kaduna Governor Ahmed Makarfi to join the emerging alliance.
The coalition, engineered by Atiku, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and other prominent politicians across party lines, is working to rally disaffected members of the APC, SDP, and other opposition groups.
While the targeted leaders have expressed varying degrees of skepticism, Gusau is said to have reached out to them for a closed-door meeting at his Abuja residence to discuss the coalition’s goals and viability.
David Mark is reportedly exercising caution amid uncertainties about the coalition’s objectives and direction. Sule Lamido remains critical of the PDP’s internal handling of party loyalty, demanding sanctions against members (FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Former Benue governor, Samuel Ortom) who backs President Tinubu. Makarfi, though silent publicly, is believed to be cautious in his approach.
Despite his own reservations, Gusau is reportedly open to mediating discussions among the concerned leaders to assess the potential of the coalition.
The effort reflects ongoing political realignments as opposition forces strategize to mount a credible challenge against the incumbent administration.
